Expanded testing for COVID-19 in Georgia

GEORGIA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) revised COVID-19 testing criteria to accommodate more testing of Georgia residents.

Prior to the revision, testing for COVID-19 was reserved for first responders and healthcare workers.

Now, with a referral, all symptomatic individuals will now be eligible for COVID-19 testing.

“Those who would eligible for testing would include people with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 including fever, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or smell, chills and certain gastrointestinal symptoms,” says Dr. Charles Ruis, District Health Director for Southwest Public Health District.

Referrals to DPH specimen collection sites can be obtained from primary care providers and local health departments.

The DPH call center hotline is (229) 352-6567